Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of the Origanum vulgare L essential oil on strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Bacteria may be the initial cause of certain pathologies as well as a secondary agent responsible for the development of complications such as pressure ulcer infections. Pressure ulcers are a persistent health problem, especially in immunocompromised patients, and associated with infection by opportunistic microorganisms with antimicrobial resistance, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, highlight the need for the development of new antimicrobial approaches. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-adherent activity of Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) essential oil against Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, as well as the effect of its association with synthetic antimicrobials. To this end, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) analyses were performed on microdilution plates. The assay of the Minimum Inhibitory Adherence Concentration (MIAC), with test tubes. As well as, the association study through the infusion disc method containing ampicillin (AMP), gentamicin (GEN), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and ceftriaxone (CEF). Therefore, it was possible to obtain that the essential oil of oregano presents antimicrobial and bactericidal activity, with MIC ranging between 128µg/mL and 256 µg/mL and MBC between 256 µg/mL and 512 µg/mL, on the tested K. pneumoniae strains. When used in association with ampicillin and gentamicin, oregano essential oil showed synergistic effect for some strains. Therefore, it is observed that the tested essential oil can act as a promising antibacterial in the treatment of diseases caused by K. pneumoniae.

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against Enterococcus cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis strains of food origin.

The present study sought to evaluate the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against food-borne strains of Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis. The study was performed using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) methods, in addition, disc diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of trans-anethole with synthetic antimicrobials. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for Adherence (MICA) testing was also performed. The results revealed that trans-anethole presents no antibacterial activity at any of the concentrations used against the E. cloacae strains tested. However, trans-anethole presented antibacterial effect against five of the six E. faecalis bacterial strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. Further, when analyzing the MBC results against E. faecalis, it was observed that the compound presented values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that trans-anethole when combined with the antimicrobials ampicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone presented synergistic effect against most strains of E. faecalis. However, both trans-anethole and the control chlorhexidine (0.12%) presented no antibiofilm effects against strains of E. faecalis. In short, trans-anethole presented potential antibacterial against E. faecalis strains of food origin, and may upon further study, it may be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this bacterium.

Functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for benign and malignant hematological diseases. These aggressive treatments cause reduced levels of physical activity, decreased lung function, and worse quality of life. Alterations in pulmonary function tests before HSCT are associated with the risk of respiratory failure and early mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional capacity and lung function before and after HSCT and identify the predictors of mortality after 2 years. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out with individuals with oncohematological diseases. The evaluations were carried out in two moments during hospitalization and at hospital discharge. Follow-up was carried out after 48 months. Assessments were carried out on 34 adults, using spirometry, manovacuometry, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Handgrip Strength Test, and 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction for the variables in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume predicted in the 1st second, Tiffeneau index, handgrip strength, and distance covered (% predicted) on the 6MWT (p < .05). There was a significant difference in the 30-s CST when individuals were compared according to the type of transplant. We found that a 10% reduction in the values of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) can predict an increased risk for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals undergoing HSCT have reduced functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength during the hospitalization phase. Reduction in the values of MIP increases the risk of nonrelapse mortality.

Relationship between ventilation heterogeneity and exercise intolerance in adults with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) causes dysfunction of multiple organs, with pulmonary involvement as a major cause of mortality. Recently, there has been growing interest in the nitrogen single-breath washout (N2SBW) test, which is able to detect ventilation heterogeneity and small airway disease when the results of other pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are still normal. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to assess the heterogeneity in the ventilation distribution in adults with SCA and to determine the association between the ventilation distribution and the clinical, cardiovascular, and radiological findings. This cross-sectional study included 38 adults with SCA who underwent PFTs, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and 6-min walk test. To evaluate the ventilation heterogeneity, the patients were categorized according to the phase III slope of the N2SBW (SIIIN2). Compared with adults with lower SIIIN2 values, adults with higher SIIIN2 values showed lower hemoglobin levels (P=0.048), a history of acute chest syndrome (P=0.001), an elevated tricuspid regurgitation velocity (P=0.039), predominance of a reticular pattern in the CT (P=0.002), a shorter 6-min walking distance (6MWD) (P=0.002), and lower peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) after exercise (P=0.03). SIIIN2 values correlated significantly with hemoglobin (rs=-0.344; P=0.034), forced vital capacity (rs=-0.671; P<0.0001), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (rs=-0.376; P=0.019), 6MWD (rs=-0.554; P=0.0003), and SpO2 after exercise (P=0.040). Heterogeneity in the ventilation distribution is one of the most common pulmonary dysfunctions in adults with SCA. Moreover, relationships exist between ventilation heterogeneity, worsening of pulmonary structural damage, and reduced tolerance for exercise.

Persistence and remission of ADHD during adulthood: a 7-year clinical follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Course and predictors of persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults are still largely unknown. Neurobiological and clinical differences between child and adult ADHD raise the need for follow-up studies of patients diagnosed during adulthood. This study investigates predictors of ADHD persistence and the possibility of full remission 7 years after baseline assessment. METHOD: A 7-year follow-up study of adults with ADHD (n = 344, mean age 34.1 years, 49.9% males) was conducted. Variables from different domains (social demographics, co-morbidities, temperament, medication status, ADHD measures) were explored with the aim of finding potential predictors of ADHD persistence. RESULTS: Retention rate was 66% (n = 227). Approximately a third of the sample (n = 70, 30.2%) did not maintain ADHD criteria and 28 (12.4%) presented full remission (<4 symptoms), independently of changes in co-morbidity or cognitive demand profiles. Baseline predictors of diagnostic persistence were higher number of inattention symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 8.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.54-25.45, p < 0.001], number of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04-1.34, p = 0.01), oppositional defiant disorder (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.20-8.11, p = 0.02), and social phobia (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.12-11.47, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the stage of brain maturation in adults suggests stability, approximately one third of the sample did not keep full DSM-IV diagnosis at follow-up, regardless if at early, middle or older adulthood. Although full remission is less common than in childhood, it should be considered as a possible outcome among adults.

Evidence for the main foot protein gene in Perna perna (Mollusca, Mytilidae).

Here, we investigated the gene that encodes the main protein component of the byssus in Perna perna (Ppfp) using a consensus fluorescent probe for the Mytilus group and by polymerase chain reaction amplification using specific and random primers. A 524-bp fragment resulting from polymerase chain reaction amplification was found to be homologous to the fp-1 gene of Mytilus coruscus. This fragment was identified as the 3' end of the Ppfp-1 gene, which included the heptapeptide coding sequence for Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Ter (probably the incomplete last tandem repeat unit of the giant exon), the stop codon and the polyadenylation signal.

Evidence for the main foot protein gene in Perna perna (Mollusca, Mytilidae)

Here, we investigated the gene that encodes the main protein component of the byssus in Perna perna (Ppfp) using a consensus fluorescent probe for the Mytilus group and by polymerase chain reaction amplification using specific and random primers. A 524-bp fragment resulting from polymerase chain reaction amplification was found to be homologous to the fp-1 gene of Mytilus coruscus. This fragment was identified as the 3’ end of the Ppfp-1 gene, which included the heptapeptide coding sequence for Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Ter (probably the incomplete last tandem repeat unit of the giant exon), the stop codon and the polyadenylation signal.